2011 Kobalt Tools 500 – Post-Practice Predictions

2011 Kobalt Tools 500 Post-Practice Predictions, Picks, Tips and Preview – Favorites and Sleepers to Win Kobalt Tools 500: To say that the practice sessions at Phoenix Friday were crucial is an understatement. Drivers got their first look at the repaved and reconfigured track under race-like conditions, and every lap translated into valuable data for teams. As a result, bettors should give more credence to the practice results than ever before. Teams have no other setups to fall back on, and the drivers that ran well in practice should have a huge edge on race day.

2011 Kobalt Tools 500 – Post-Practice Top 5

1. Matt Kenseth: After posting the second-fast lap in the opening practice session, Kenseth followed it up by recording the second-best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. He starts from the pole Sunday at a track where passing is expected to be difficult. With a fast car and track position on his side, Kenseth looks like the driver to beat this weekend.

2. Tony Stewart: Stewart had his No. 14 machine dialed in on long runs during the practice sessions. He topped the charts in terms of 10-lap average speed in the first practice, and he ranked third in the same category in Happy Hour. He starts inside the top 10 Sunday, and he appears to have a real shot at winning a record-setting fifth Chase race in 2011.

3. Carl Edwards: He opened Friday’s practices with the second-best 10-lap average speed, and Edwards followed with the second-fastest lap in Happy Hour. He is the defending winner of this weekend’s race, and starting inside the top 10, he could easily defend his victory. Not to mention the fact that he is averaging a top-five finish during the Chase.

4. Kasey Kahne: Kahne posted the eighth-fastest lap in the first practice at Phoenix Friday, and he topped the charts in terms of 10-lap average speed during Happy Hour. He finished a solid sixth at the track in February, and he has quietly enjoyed an excellent Chase. Kahne has had cars capable of winning several races during the last month.

5. Ryan Newman: He had the fifth-fastest lap in the first session Friday, and Newman followed with the sixth-best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. He has been as good as any driver at Phoenix the last three races, picking up three top-five finishes, including a win. Newman will have some work to do after a poor qualifying effort, but his recent history and practice times suggest he could get to the front.

2011 Kobalt Tools 500 – Post-Practice Top Sleeper

1. Paul Menard: Despite a horrible career record at Phoenix, Menard wowed during practice. He posted the fourth-fastest lap in the opening practice Friday and followed it up by topping the charts in Happy Hour. Menard has never finished better than 17th at PIR, but he could pull an upset this weekend if the practice times are any indication.

View the most current vegas betting odds to win the 2011 Kobalt Tools 500 for this Sunday, November 13th at Phoenix International Raceway.